Ready for the task: Aifa Azman (left) and Chan Yiwen will shoulder Malaysia’s challenge in the singles event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
PETALING JAYA: Squash player Chan Yiwen is looking forward to a memorable debut at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games from July 28-Aug 8.
She is hoping to put her best foot forward to make up for the absence of top player S. Sivasangari, who has been forced out after being involved in a car crash recently.
But Yiwen admitted at the same time that Sivasangari’s absence does not really affect her.
“Our team definitely feel different without Sivasangari and I will do my best to fill the void.
“But to be honest, I don’t think that her absence affects me much besides playing in one more event because I am still with the same partner for doubles,” she said.
Yiwen was only slated to compete in the women’s doubles with Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi but with Sivasangari’s withdrawal from the Games, she will join Aifa Azman and Rachel Arnold in the singles.
The 21-year-old Yiwen has never thought that she will be chosen to replace Sivasangari, who suffered injuries to her head and spine following the crash.
To ensure that she will be able to perform well in both events and cope with the match schedule, Yiwen has made slight changes to her training routine.
“I was surprised by the announcement and I feel excited for my first outing,” she said.
“I used to focus more on doubles. But now, I have been working hard in the hope that I can put up a good performance for singles as well.
“More emphasis will be on improving my fitness because I need to be physically strong to play in both events. And not to mention that the match schedule could be tough sometimes,” said Yiwen, who hopes to finish within the top four in doubles and also create upsets in the singles.
